The Cambridge Handbook of Shareholder Engagement and Voting

Companies play an important role in the economy, and shareholders finance their activities. This book provides insights into what rights shareholders have and how they participate in corporate life through voting and engaging. It is comparative and international in scope, paying particular attention to how jurisdictions align and differ around the world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 600 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Companies play a vital role in the global economy, with a diverse range of stakeholders holding the reins. Among these stakeholders, shareholders are a significant class, providing the financial support for these companies' activities. In return, shareholders have a say in how these companies are organized and structured, primarily through voting and engagement. These mechanisms allow shareholders to decide key aspects of the company's structure, including governance and director compensation. However, the way shareholders vote and engage, as well as the extent of their rights, vary significantly across different countries.

This pioneering book delves into the rights of shareholders and explores how shareholders in nineteen different jurisdictions participate in corporate life through voting and engagement. With a comparative and international focus, it pays particular attention to how jurisdictions align and differ globally.

Shareholders have various rights, including the right to vote on important matters such as board elections, mergers, and dividend distributions. They also have the right to engage with the company, such as attending shareholder meetings and communicating with management. Shareholders may also have the right to inspect company books and records and to seek information about the company's operations.

However, the extent to which shareholders' rights are protected and exercised can vary significantly across different countries. Different legal frameworks, corporate governance practices, and cultural norms can influence the rights and responsibilities of shareholders. For example, some countries may have stronger shareholder protection laws than others, while others may prioritize the interests of other stakeholders, such as employees or the community.

The book also discusses the role of shareholders in corporate governance. Shareholders can influence the direction and performance of a company by voting for directors who share their values and by engaging with management on important issues. Shareholders may also seek to hold management accountable for their actions by engaging in proxy voting and other forms of activism.

In conclusion, companies play a critical role in the global economy, and shareholders are a vital class of stakeholders with significant rights and responsibilities. This pioneering book provides insights into the rights of shareholders and how they participate in corporate life through voting and engagement. By understanding the differences in shareholder rights across different countries, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders can work to promote better corporate governance and ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are protected.

ISBN-13: 9781108830881